NCT: The Big Push

Give loneliness The Big Push with fun family events!

Puddle Ducks are proud to sponsor NCT’s The Big Push – a sponsored buggy push with the aim to combat loneliness in new parents.

About The Big Push

Funds raised will be used to develop perinatal mental health awareness workshops and a range of practical resources to be rolled out across the UK through the network of local NCT branches.

The events themselves are a great opportunity to get out and about with other parents. Take part in one of the existing events or register your interest in creating your very own!

Don't worry, you don't need to bring a pushchair - toddlers, babies in slings, friends and family take part, raising money to help mums and dads who are feeling lonely.

Why are Puddle Ducks involved?

Our teachers are on the ground, working and interacting with mums-to-be and new mums and dads on a daily basis. Swimming is a wonderful activity for parents and their baby to enjoy together; the skin-to-skin and eye contact can really help with bonding. It is also a very social activity, a place for new parents to meet and talk about the amazing and often scary experiences they are going through, together. Our aim is for our teachers to be trained, through NCT, to look out for the signs and symptoms of perinatal mental health conditions and loneliness and to be able to signpost our customers to the relevant support services.

When and where is The Big Push?

2019 is full of exciting events all round the country! Take a look and see if your local NCT is putting on an event - you might even get to do your 5k buggy push with Puddle!!

Darlington: 14th April 2019

Leamington Spa: 22nd September 2019

Why fundraise?

Mental health issues affect at least 1 in 10 women during pregnancy or early parenthood. Men can also experience some level of anxiety, stress or depression relating to fatherhood.

Getting help early can make all the difference to recovery. Unfortunately, many parents don't speak out and don’t get the support they need, often reaching crisis point. When a new mum or dad experiences any form of mental health problems, the effects can be devastating for the whole family.

Where does the money go?

Funds raised will be used to develop perinatal mental health awareness workshops and a range of practical resources to be rolled out across the UK through NCT's network of local branches. Volunteers and practitioners will be trained so they have the knowledge and confidence to recognise the signs and symptoms of different mental health issues and to signpost parents to specialist services.

The project builds on NCT's #beyondbabyblues campaign, which is raising awareness of perinatal mental health issues at a national level, calling for better support services across the UK.